Upgrading from 10.3 to 10.4 (software cannot be installed on this computer!)

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Upgrading from 10.3 to 10.4 (software cannot be installed on this computer!)

Hello. I am running a Powerbook G4 12" titanium laptop. It has 1.25 GB RAM. 33GB free memory. CPU speed 1 Ghz. For years I have been stuck on OS 10.3.9 - but now a lot of web browsers don't seem to support this anymore which is leading to difficulties. I bought what I believe are the correct upgrade discs new: Mac OS version 10.4, AHT version 2.5, disc version 1.1, 2Z691-5518-A. However no matter what I try, after rebooting from the install disc I get past the page selecting which language and then the dialogue "the software cannot be installed on this computer!" pops up. I even went to ask in a shop specialising in fixing macs and they verified the discs were correct and the computer was compatible. As a last possibility they suggested I erase the hard drive and then install. I did. It didn't. I am now even further back at OS 10.3. What is going on?????????? Any help greatly appreciated - just before I walk aimlessly into the wilderness, gibbering involuntarily and clawing feebly at imaginary foes.... Thanks!?

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Aug 24, 2011 5:27 AM

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Answer 1

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Limnos

Level 10

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Aug 24, 2011 6:50 AM in response to roman nose

From doing a web search with those disc specifications it would seem those are grey colored discs intended to only work on another model computer, probably an e-mac. Unfortunately people sell these old discs that came with a computer but don't realize that unless somebody has an identical model computer they are no good to most peple and should really be kept with the original computer.

What you need to find are black colored retail version discs that are intended to be used for upgrading any Mac that can run Tiger. These aren't easy to find and although I would think people would be really be getting rid of old discs now that Tiger is 4 generations old, it doesn't seem to work that way.

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Answer 2

roman nose Author

Level 1

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Aug 26, 2011 11:59 AM in response to Limnos

Thankyou! That is exactly what I needed to know - although perhaps not what I wanted to hear. I did buy the discs from what seemed a reputable shop, allbeit online. Yes, I'm now sure they must be for an eMac - whatever that is.... Thanks anyway . I shall proceed in a different direction

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